A5057055350- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Plant and animal studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
Bernice P. Bishop Museum
2012-2024
University of Hawaii System
2022
Comprehensive assessments of species' extinction risks have documented the crisis1 and underpinned strategies for reducing those risks2. Global reveal that, among tetrapods, 40.7% amphibians, 25.4% mammals 13.6% birds are threatened with extinction3. Because global been lacking, reptiles omitted from conservation-prioritization analyses that encompass other tetrapods4-7. Reptiles unusually diverse in arid regions, suggesting they may different conservation needs6. Here we provide a...
Living vertebrates vary drastically in body size, yet few taxa reach the extremely minute size of some frogs and teleost fish. Here we describe two new species diminutive terrestrial from megadiverse hotspot island New Guinea, one which represents smallest known vertebrate species, attaining an average only 7.7 mm. Both are members recently described genus Paedophryne, four all among ten frog making Paedophryne most anurans. This discovery highlights intriguing ecological similarities...
Abstract Aim Small geographic ranges make species especially prone to extinction from anthropogenic disturbances or natural stochastic events. We assemble and analyse a comprehensive dataset of all the world's lizard identify with smallest ranges—those known only their type localities. compare them wide‐ranging infer whether specific regions biological traits predispose have small ranges. Location Global. Methods extensively surveyed museum collections, primary literature our own field...
Abstract Aim Variation in body size across animal species underlies most ecological and evolutionary processes shaping local‐ large‐scale patterns of biodiversity. For well over a century, climatic factors have been regarded as primary sources natural selection on size, hypotheses such Bergmann's rule (the increase with decreasing temperature) dominated discussions. However, evidence for consistent effects, especially among ectotherms, remains equivocal. Here, we test range key...
Abstract Identifying hotspots of biological diversity is a key step in conservation prioritisation. Melanesia—centred on the vast island New Guinea—is increasingly recognised for its exceptionally species-rich and endemic biota. Here we show that Melanesia has world’s most diverse insular amphibian fauna, with over 7% global frog species less than 0.7% land area, 97% endemic. We further estimate nearly 200 additional candidate have been discovered but remain unnamed, pointing to total fauna...
We describe from the Muller Range of New Guinea three new species microhylid frogs, one each in genera Albericus, Cophixalus, and Oreophryne. The Albericus is unique its combination ofan infrequent peeping call, oblique lores, wide snout finger discs, distinct tympanum. Cophixalus distinguished by discs larger than toe third longer fifth, tympanum, curved scapular ridges, dark postocular stripe, W-shaped mark above shoulders, anda call consisting a rapid series 6–9 musical peeps....
The assumptions on the host specificity of beetles that led Terry Erwin to suggest there may be over 30 million arthropod species were tested for 10 trees and their insect associates at a rainforest site in Papua New Guinea. data included 391 4696 individuals herbivorous collected during one year period using hand collecting, beating, branch clipping, intercept flight traps pyrethrum knockdown. Insect was assessed by feeding trials captivity. between 23 37 monophagous leaf-feeding are most...
Abstract Aims To examine species richness patterns in Papua New Guinea's terrestrial vertebrates and test for geographical congruence between the four classes, lizard snake subgroups. assess environmental correlates of Guinean terrestrial‐vertebrate richness, contrast effects varying analytical resolution correction spatial autocorrelation. We predict bird, mammal to a lesser extent amphibian with weak or incongruence reptiles other taxonomic groups. further these will stem from relative...
Horizontal transfer (HT) of genes between multicellular animals, once thought to be extremely rare, is being more commonly detected, but its global geographic trend and mechanism have not been investigated. We discovered a unique HT pattern Bovine-B (BovB) LINE retrotransposons in vertebrates, with bizarre direction from predators (snakes) their prey (frogs). At least 54 instances BovB were which we estimate occurred across time 85 1.3 Ma. Using comprehensive transcontinental sampling, our...
Abstract Environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and elevation, explain most of the variation in species richness at global scale. Nevertheless, patterns may have different drivers across taxa regions. To date, a comprehensive examination how various factors climate or topography drive all terrestrial vertebrates, using same methods predictors, has been lacking. Recent advances species‐distribution data allowed us to model examine pattern tetrapods comprehensively. We...
Changes in fat body weights, total and reproductive activity were studied Sceloporus occidentalis the central Sierra Nevada, California at 1500m 2200 m elevation. At adult females have a mean SVL of 72.0 to 75.5mm, range from 75.0 77.5 mm. Emergence adults begins eginin early April is complete by end 1500 m; first appear late May or June, depending upon weather. Activity lasts until latter part September but most disappeared before middle September; ca. 6 months 4.5 months. Total for males...
Abstract Adaptations for efficient performance are expected to shape animal morphology based on selection microhabitat use and ecological forces. The presence of competitor species is predicted cause niches contract enhance trait divergence. Therefore, increased richness lead greater divergence, result in reduced overlap similarity between morphologies sympatric species. We examined patterns morphospace occupancy partitioning the skink fauna New Guinea, world's largest tropical island....
We describe a new species of scandent/arboreal frog from Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, off the southeastern tip New Guinea that exhibits remarkable ontogenetic change in color pattern. Juveniles are shiny black with lemon-yellow spots; adults uniform peach bright blue eyes. detail changes color-pattern elements comprise this transformation. This change, adult coloration, and iris all appear to be unique features within genus Oreophryne, most whose members tan, brown, or gray. presume...
Context Skinks comprise the dominant component of terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge their diversity is incomplete, conservation needs are poorly understood. Aims To explore threat status skinks ONGEW identify gaps needs. Methods We compiled a list all skink species occurring region categories designated by International Union for Conservation Nature. used available genetic sequences deposited National Center Biotechnology...